Statistical machines



Dec. 8, 1959 R. o. PARMENTER 2,916,090

STATISTICAL MACHINES Filed May 4, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l 6 InventorIMQlQW/W Dec. 8, 1959 PARMENTER 2,916,090

STATISTICAL MACHINES Filed May 4. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Dec. 8,1959 R. o. PARMENTER STATISTICAL MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 4.1956 United States Patent 2,916,090 Patented Dec. 8, 1959 timeSTATISTICAL MACHINES Raymond Owen Parmenter, Mitcham, England, assignorto Powers samas Accounting Machines Limited, London; England, a- Britishcompany AppiicationMay 4, 1956, Serial No. 582,762

14"CI3imS. (Cl. 164-'-'111) This invention relates to statisticalmachines and in particular to apparatus for elfecting actuationofrecording elements, for example punches or set pins for co-operationtherewith, arranged in columns each of which consists of a plurality ofrecording elements supported for movement relative one to another to andfrom normally inactive positions thereof.

In some forms of statisticalmachines in which recording elements, as setforth above, are employed, it is possible to effectthe simultaneousoperation of all the recording'elements, but in other machines operationmust be effected column by column and heretofore in this last mentionedkind of machine, it hasbeen usual to effect operation of the recordingelements by moving a column of operating elements step-wise over eachcolumn of recording elements in succession, starting at the first columnand finishing at the last. This mode of operation has restricted therate of operation of the machine because the succeeding operation of themachine cannot be eifecteduntil all columns have been traversed by theseting device. It is one object of the present invention to provide asetting apparatus which 'will reduce the time taken to effect thecolumn-by-column setting of recording elements and so increase the rateof operation of the machine.

In general, this object is achieved by arranging that instead of therecording elements being set by a single stepwise moving setting device,there is provided a plurality of simultaneously operable stepwisemovingsetting devices arranged to effect parallel setting of portions of thepunch unit appropriated thereto.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a setting apparatuswhich will reduce the number of elemerits required when setting ofrecording elements is effe'cted row-by-row as distinct fromcolumn-by-colurnnas mentioned above and where in the appended claimsreference is made to a line of recording elements the term line isdeemed to mean either a column or a row of recording elements.

It will be understood that in statistical machines there are employed avariety of forms of apparatus in which elements are arranged in columnsand rows each of which consists of a plurality of the elements supportedfor movement relative one to another to and from normally inactivepositions thereof, for example the elements may consist of punches forpunching record cards or tape, or set pin elements for co-operation withsuch punches, or the elements may consist of data-memory elements or ofcoding or decoding set-bars, and all such elements are deemed herein tobe included in the expression recording elements where used herein.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for usein a statistical machine for effecting actuation of recording elementsarranged in lines each of which consists of a plurality of saidrecording elements supported for movement relative one to another to andfrom normally inactive positions thereof, said apparatus comprising apush rod for each recording elementof a line of recording elements, aswinging support arranged to support said rods for lengthwise movementand for stepwise alignment with successive lines of recording elements,selectively operable operating elements to effect lengthwise movementof'the push rods and each" connected with one of said push rods andpermitting swinging movement of the push rods by the support relative tothe operating elements, and means to effect swinging movement of saidsupport.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood one embodimentthereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation, with parts thereof broken away for clarity,of a portion of apparatus according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 illustrates a part of the driving mechanism for the apparatusshown in Fig. l', and

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partly in section, looking in the directionof arrow III, Fig. 1.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings is designed for use with apunch unit for punching statistical record cards but the drawings do notillustrate the whole of a punch unit as punch units having set pinsmovable lengthwise for the purpose of setting the punch unit arewellknown in the art. In Figs. 1 and 3 there are illustrated some of theset pins 1- of a punchunit, the set pins being, as is customary,disposed in columns, one for each column of a card to be punched and areshown in the normally inactive positions thereof from which they aremoved lengthwise to effect setting of the punch unit. One column of setpins is shown in Fig. 3 and consists as can be seen from that figure, oftwelve set pins '1, one for each data-indicating position of a verticalcolumn of acard. In Fig. 1 there are illustrated only ten of the columnsof set pins, the columns being numbered 56 to 65 as it is assumed thatthe punch unit is one provided for punching 65-colurnn cards. It will,however, be understood that the punch unit could be other than that fora 65-column card, as for example it could be for an 6011511111 card, fora 40-column card, or for a 36-column car As will hereafter be described,one embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention isprovided with a plurality of set pin actuating units arranged inparallel, of which two are illustrated in Fig. 1, and each of the setpin actuating units is arranged serially to effect setting,column-by-column, of set pins in a plurality of adjoining columns of setpins. In the example herein described, it is assumed that each set pinactuating unit will effect actuation of the set pins in eight adjoiningcolumns of set pins. Thus, if the punch unit is for use with 80 or40-column cards, there will for such units be provided respectivelyeither ten or five set pin actuating units. In the example illustratedin Fig. 1, where it is assumed that the punch unit is for use with65-column cards, there will be provided nine set pin actuating units,eight of which units will each be effective to control operation ofeight adjoining columns of set pins and the ninth of which will beeffective to effect setting of only one column of set pins.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown, as stated above, two of the nine setpin actuating units, and it is to be understood that the construction ofeach of the set pin actuating units is similar to that illustrated inFig. 1 and described below. Each set pin actuating unit includes anactuating member shown in Fig. 1 as a push-rod 2, and the units aresupported in parallel spaced relation, as illustrated in Fig. 1, forsimultaneous stepwise movement column-by-column over groups of adjoiningcolumns of set pins 1 appropriated thereto, in a manner to be describedbelow. For each actuating member 2 of a unit there is provided a set ofselectively operable operating elements to effect serial operation ofthe actuating members when the members are in operative relation withthe set pins of a column appropriated thereto.

The push-rods 2 are supported for lengthwise movement, to and from theinactive position thereof shown in Fig. 1, by a swinging plate 3pivotally mounted on a fixed stud 4 adjacent the end of the rod 2 remotefrom the set pins 1. The end of the plate 3 nearest the set pins 1 isconnected by shoulder screws 5 to flat bars 6 forming part of drivingmeans common to the plates 3 and operable to swing the plateintermittently about the pivot studs 4 so as to position the push-rods 2carried thereby successively for co-operation with the columns of setpins 1 to be actuated thereby. As shown in Fig. 1, the group ofadjoining columns of set pins 3, numbered from 57 to 64 inclusive, areto be actuated by the rods 2 initially positioned above the column 64,the bars 6 being moved intermittently to the right, as viewed in Fig. I,so that the rods 2 are successively positioned over the columns 63 to57. It will be understood from Fig. 1, that with the arrangement showntherein, for a 65-coiumn unit the pin-actuating unit at the extreme leftwill h ve imparted thereto the same eight stepwise movements as theadjoining actuating unit, but only on the last of the stepwisemovements, when the rods 2. of this unit are disposed above the set pins1 of column 65, will the rods 2 be effective to actuate set pins.

The rods 2 are supported for lengthwise movement by the lower end 7 ofplate 3 and by hearing members 8, 9, carried by the plate. Each rod 2 isprovided with a shoulder is? and a spring ill extends between theshoulder ill and bearing 8 to urge the rod 2 to the normally inactiveposition thereof illustrated in Fig. l.

The driving means, of which the bars 6 are integers, is illustrated inFig. 2 from which it will be seen that a bar 6 is engaged by an end of aplunger 12, the bar being retained in engagement with the plunger by aspring 13. The plunger 12. is engaged by a stepped cam is secured to ashaft rotatable from the main drive of the machine to which the punchunit is fitted. The cam 14 is shown in the position thereof in which therods 2 are dis-- posed over the first column of set pins to be operatedthereby. Thus considering Fig. l, and the group of columns of set pins57 to 64, the rods 2 are disposed for co-operation with the set pins 1of column 64. As the cam 14 rotates counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig.2, the plunger '12 successively co-operates with steps l6, l7, 18, H,26), 21 and 2.2, and as the plunger engages with these successive stepsthe support plates 3 successively move the columns of rods 2 carriedthereby stepwise column by column to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1.

After actuation of the last column of set pins of a group, the cam 14restores the columns of rods 2 to the initial positions thereof asillustrated in Fig.1.

Movement of a rod 2 from the normally inactive position thereof shown inFig. 1 is effected by a normally inactive motion-transmitter comprisinga slide 23 supported for lengthwise movement between guide members orcomb bars 24. Each slide 23 has an arcuate lower end 25 which is engagedby the upper end of its rod 2 and is provided with a laterally extendingpin 26 which is located in a slot 27 in a link 28 pivoted about a fixedpin 29. Movement of the link 28 about its pivot 29 is effected by atransmission rod Sill supported for lengthwise movement by plates 31,32. Abutting the upper end of each transmission rod 39 is a triggerlatching member 33 slidable in guide plates 34 and provided with ashoulder 35 and a spring 36 which extends between the shoulder and oneof the plates 34. The spring 36 tends to urge the latching member 33 tothe inactive position thereof shown in Fig. l. The upper end of eachtrigger latching member is provided with a notch 37 for engagement by atrigger about to be described. The arrangement of the slide 23, link 28,and transmission rod 30 is such that the extent of lengthwise movementof rod 2 is greater than that of transmission rod 30 and, in theapparatus being described, the extent of lengthwise movement of rod 2 istwice that of transmission rod 30.

Movement of the transmission rod 39 is effected by a trigger 58pivotally mounted on a shoulder screw 39 secured to a trigger supportshown as a bar 40. The bar 453 is common to all like triggers 38 toeffect operation of like push-rods Z and, accordingly, there are twelvebars ill arranged in side-by-side relation, as can be seen from Fig. 3.The triggers are urged by springs 4-1, to the inactive positions thereofshown in Fig. 1, in which positions they are arrested by stop pins :2extending laterally from the bar ill. Selection of a trigger to efiectoperation of its push-rod 2 is effected by a solenoid 43 appropriatedthereto, the solenoid being provided with an armature l4 pivoted at 45,Fig. l, and urged into engagement with the pole face of the solenoid bya leaf spring 46. The armature i l supports a trigger-setting cam 47arranged to cooperate with a face 4-8 of the trigger 33. Thus, if thesolenoid 43 is energized, the armature 4 2- remains in the activeposition thereof illustrated in Fig. l and, on downward movement of thetrigger by the bar lit, the trigger-setting cam 4-7, by engagement withthe face 43 of the trigger, causes the trigger to be movedcountercloclovise, as viewed in Fig. 1, about its pivot 3 so that thelower end of the trigger will engaged with the notch 37 of thetrigger-latching member 33 and continued downward movement of thetrigger by the bar as will effect, through member 33, lengthwisedownward movement of transmission rod 39 thereby to eifect lengthwisemovement of its rod 2 which, in turl eliects lengthwise movement of theset pin 1 with which it is aligned. The arrangement is such that, at theinstant at which the lower end of the trigger 38 engages the face 49 ofthe trigger-latching member 33, the continued downward movement of thetrigger forcibly pulls the armature 44- away from the pole face of thesolenoid 43. Also at about this time the trigger tends to return to theinactive position thereof under the influence of its spring 4!, but itis prevented from so doing because it is now engaged in the notch 37 ofthe trigger latching member 33.

It will be understood that if, during the downward movement of bar 4fthe solenoid i3 is not energized then engagement of the face 48 of thetrigger with the cam 47 causes the armature 44 to be moved away from thepole face of the solenoid and the spring 41 retains the trigger in theinactive vertical position thereof shown in Fig. 1 so that during thecontinued downward movement of the bar 40 the trigger is not engagedwith its trigger-latching member 33 and accordingly does not eliectlengthwise movement thereof.

The bars 40 are supported at their opposite ends by cross shafts 50 ofwhich only one is shown in the drawings, and the cross shafts 50 arecarried by eccentric straps 51 connected with eccentrics 52, Figs. 1 and3, driven by a chain 53 from the main drive of the machine. The crossshafts 5% have their ends supported in blocks 54 slidable vertically inslots 55 formed in frame mem bers 56 thereby, under the action ofeccentrics 52 to guide the bars id during vertical reciprocationthereof.

in operation of the apparatus the cam 14, Fig. 2, causes the supportplates 3 to move the columns of rods 2 carried thereby in successionstepwise over the columns of set pins of the groups thereof to beoperated by the rods 2 a l signals to effect energization of thesolenoids 43 are transmitted in parallel to like columns of groups ofsolenoids and the signals to the solenoids of a column are transmittedin series to solenoids of the column. Accordingly, it will be understoodthat for a high speed machine in which signals are derived from a numberof different positions for the purpose of producing punched holes indifferent fields of a record card, thesignals may be transmittedsimultaneously to the plurality of set pinactuating units so that indiffering fields of the punch unit columns ofset pins therefor can besimultaneously conditioned prior to actuation of the punch unit toeffect punching of the card. p

In the foregoing description apparatus according to the invention hasbeen described with reference to the use thereof in'elfecting setting ofrecording elements columnby-column. It is to be understood, however,that the apparatus may be adapted to effect setting of recordingelements row-by-row and that in such case only one actuating unit willbe required because twelve is normally the maximum number of rows inwhich setting is to be effected. Thus when the apparatus is adapted toeifcct setting row-byrow there willbe provided one solenoid 43 for eachposition in the row in which a setting may be effected and a swingingsupport similar to a plate 3 is provided to support actuating memberseach of which is connected to a solenoid 43 appropriated theretothroughaconnection device such as that obtained by a push rod 2 andarcuate surface 25 and which permits swinging movement of the actuatingmembers relative to the solenoids thereby successively to position theactuating members for cooperation with the successive rows of recordingelements. When using this form of the apparatus the solenoids 43 will beactuated by the row-by-row sensing of a record card, for example of acontinuously moving card. d

It will also be understood that, if desired, the rods 2 may be arrangedto cooperate directly with punches thereby to effect punching of arecord card. Further, the apparatus may be employed to effect thepunching, either directly or through a set bar unit, of a tape fedintermittently by increments equal to the number of columns of a recordcard from which data is sensed in parallel from adjoining groups of cardcolumns thereby increasing the rate at which data sensed from a recordcard can be punched, if desired in code, into a tape. Other applicationsof the apparatus in statistical machines will readily come to the mindof those skilled in' the art.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use in a satistical machine, comprising recordingelements arranged in lines each of which consists of. a plurality ofsaid recording elements supported for movement relative one to anotherto and from normally inactive positions thereof, a push rod for eachrecording element of a line of recording elements, a swinging supportarranged to support said rods for lengthwise movement and for stepwisealignment with successive lines of recording elements, and for each pushrod a normally inactive motion-transmitter to effect lengthwise movementthereof, a trigger pivoted on a movable trigger support by which thetrigger is movable into cooperation with the motion-transmitter toeffect operation thereof, said trigger being spring-urged about itspivot to a normally inactive position thereof at which it is preventedfrom co-operation with its motion-trans mitter, a normally de-energizedsolenoid, an armature for the solenoid normally spring-urged to theactive position thereof, and a camming element carried by said armatureand co-operating with the trigger thereby on energization of thesolenoid to effect movement of the trigger about its pivot to the activeposition thereof for co-operation with the motion-transmitter.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a movable trigger support isprovided for all triggers appropriated to like push rods, said triggersupports comprising bars arranged in side-by-side relation, cross shaftsproviding common supports for said bars, eccentric straps connected withthe cross shafts, and rotatable eccentrics cooperating with theeccentric straps to effect movement of the bars and the triggers carriedthereby towards and away from said motion transmitter.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each motion-transmittercomprises a slide engaged with the pushro d operable thereby andsupported for len'gthwise'move merit, a transmission rod, a triggerlatching member co operating with the transmission rod and engageable'by a trigger, and'a pivoted link movable about its p'ivot'by thetransmission rod and connected with the slide to impart lengthwisemovement'thereto under control of lengthwise movement of thetransmission rod.

4. Apparatus according to clainr 3, wherein the trigger-latching memberis provided with a notched end for engagement by its trigger when thetrigger is in the active position thereof.

5. Apparatus for use in a statistical machine for effecting actuation ofrecording elements arranged in columns each of which consists of a'plurality of said recording element supported for movement relative oneto another to and from normally inactive positions thereof, saidapparatus comprising a plurality of plates supported in spaced parallelrelation for swinging movement about fixed pivots, a plurality ofpush-rods, one for each recording element of a column, supported by eachsaid plate for independent lengthwise movement to and from an inactiveposition thereof, springs to urge the push-rods to the inactivepositions thereof, connecting member's common to all said plates toeffect simultaneous swinging movements thereof, driving means connectedwith the connecting members to swing said plates about their pivots toeffect-positioning of the push-rods relative to the columns of recordingelements of the groups appropriated thereto, a normally inactivemotion-transmitter for each push-rod, a pluralityof motion-transmitteroperating bars, one for each push rod supported by one of said plates,said bars being arranged in sideby-side relation and supported forcommon movement towards and away from the motion-transmitters, aplurality of triggers, one for each like push-rod supported by saidplates, pivoted on each of said bars and spring-urged to normallyinactive positions thereof, a normally deenergized solenoid for eachtrigger, an armature for each solenoid normally spring-urged to theactive position thereof, and a camming element carried by each saidarmature and co-operating with the trigger appropriated thereto therebyon energization of the solenoid to effect movement of the trigger aboutits pivot to the active position thereof for co-op eration with themotiontransmitter appropriate thereto thereby during movement of saidbars to efifect operation of the push-rods through the motiontransmitters appropriated thereto.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each motion-transmittercomprises a slide engaged with the pushrod operable thereby andsupported for lengthwise movement, a transmission rod, atrigger-latching member co-operating with the transmission rod andengageable by a trigger, and a pivoted link movable about its pivot bythe transmission rod and connected with the slide to impart lengthwisemovement thereto under control of lengthwise movement of thetransmission rod.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the trigger-latching memberis provided with a notched end for engagement by its trigger when thetrigger is in the active position thereof.

8; Apparatus for use in a statistical machine for effecting actuation ofrecording elements arranged in columns each of which consists of aplurality of said recording elements supported for movement relative oneto another to and from normally inactive positions thereof, saidapparatus comprising a plurality of swinging supports arranged inparallel for swinging movement relative to a group of adjoining columnsof recording elements appropriated thereto, each said support havingmounted thereon a lengthwise movable push rod for each recording elementof a column, means to move the supports stepwise simultaneously to alignthe push rods carried thereby for co-operation with successive columnsof recording elements of the groups appropriated thereto,

and for each push rod a normally inactive motion-transmitter, a triggerpivoted on a movable trigger support by which the trigger is moved intoco-operation with the motion-transmitter to effect operation thereof,said trigger being spring-urged about its pivot to a normally inactiveposition thereof at which it is prevented from co-operating with itsmotion-transmitter, and triggersetting means including for each triggera normally deenergised solenoid, an armature for the solenoid normallyspring-urged to the active position thereof, and a camming elementcarried by said armature and co-operating with a trigger appropriatedthereto thereby on energisation of the solenoid to effect movement ofthe trigger about its pivot to an active position thereof forco-operation with the motion-transmitter appropriate thereto.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a movable trigger support isprovided for all triggers appropriated to like push rods, said triggersupports comprising bars arranged in side-oy-side relation, cross shaftsproviding common supports for said bars, eccentric straps connected withthe cross shafts, and rotatable eccentrics cooperating With theeccentric straps to effect movement of the bars and the triggers carriedthereby towards and away from said motion transmitter.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each motion-transmittercomprises a slide engaged with the push-rod operable thereby andsupported for lengthwise movement, a transmission rod, a triggerlatching member co-operating with the transmission rod and engageahle bya trigger, and a pivoted link movable about its pivot by thetransmission rod and connected with the slide to impart lengthwisemovement thereto under control of lengthwise movement of thetransmission rod.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the trigger-latching memberis provided with a notched end for engagement by its trigger when thetrigger is in the active position thereof.

12. Apparatus for use in a statistical machine, comprising recordingelements arranged in columns each consisting of a plurality of recordingelements supported for movement relative one to another to and fromnormally inactive positions thereof, columns of push rods each of whichincludes a push rod for each recording element of a column thereof, saidcolumns of push rods being each appropriated for co-operation with agroup of ad joining columns of recording elements and supported forsimultaneous stepwise movement to align the push rods with columns ofrecording elements in the groups thereof appropriated to the respectivecolumns of push rods, said push rods being also supported for lengthwisemovement to effect actuation of recording elements aligned therewith,and selectively operable operating elements, one for each push rod,adapted to effect simultaneous lengthwise movement of push rods in eachcolumn thereof thereby to permit simultaneous actuation of recordingelements in each of said groups thereof.

13. Apparatus for use in a statistical machine, comprising recordingelements arranged in columns each consisting of a plurality of recordingelements supported for movement relative one to another to and fromnormally inactive positions thereof, columns of push rods each of whichincludes a push rod for each recording element of a column thereof, saidcolumns of push rods being each appropriated for co-operation with agroup of adjoining columns of recording elements, a swinging support foreach column of push rods, the push rods being supported for independentlengthwise movement relative to the support, spring-urged to inactivepositions thereof, and movable with the support stepwise to align therods with columns or" recording elements in the group thereofappropriated thereto, connecting members common to all said swingingplates to effect simultancous swinging movement thereof, driving meansconnected with said connecting members to control stepwise swingingmovements of the plate, and selectively operable operating elements, onefor each push rod, adapted to etfect simultaneous lengthwise movement ofpush rods in each column thereof thereby to permit simultaneousactuation of recording elements in each of said groups thereof.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the driving means includesa rotatable stepped cam, and a plunger connecting the cam with saidconnecting members.

Peirce July 12, 1932 Johnson et al. May 21, 1957 "Patent" N00 2,916,690

Raymbnd Owen Parmenoer It is hereby certified "that error appears in athat time said Letters Patent requiring correction and rec-bed below,

I11 1311a heading to the printed spec-ificaaian, i'zmert Claimspricwrity, applicatian Great Brit Signed and se'alad this 31st da 01 May1969.

- SEAL) Heat:

Attesting; Officer December 8, 1959 be above mzmber'ed patent shouldread as corbetween lines 6 and 7,

ROBERT c. WATSON Comissioner of Patents

